When a team is losing, they are susceptible to rumors and the Buffalo Bills are finding that out the hard way. The Bills have had their moments of potential and their moments of disaster as they sit 3-3 on the season. Quarterback EJ Manuel has been benched and now some of the offense's biggest stars are seeing their names tossed around in trade rumors and head coach Doug Marrone is not happy.
Mike Williams got the ball rolling when it was reported that the wide receiver was seeking a trade from the Bills and Buffalo was interested in shopping him around before the mid-season deadline. Both parties then went on the defense about the idea. Williams quickly shot off a tweet saying that he loved Buffalo and was more than happy on the team. The Bills made note that they were not actively shopping Williams to the highest bidder, but would certainly answer the phone if someone called about the fifth-year receiver.
Williams was forced to go on damage control about the entire issue. Marrone told the media that he was bother by the reports that the receiver wanted to be traded after he was scratched from the game against the Patriots. Marrone was even more annoyed when it was reported the New York Giants were interested. Williams is currently one year in on a six-year, $40.25 million contract. Getting a team to bite on that deal will be pretty tough to come by.
Another player tired of trade rumors is CJ Spiller who has been hearing them ever since he and the Bills failed to negotiate a new contract for him, opening the door for free agency. With big names like Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice off the market, Spiller could find himself in high demand come the offseason as the Bills contemplate his future. Spiller says he is simply focused on improving and getting better in 2014.
"Just trusting what my eyes see and not overthinking," Spiller said, via the Buffalo News. "That's been the biggest thing on my end, just overthinking it too much instead of going back to that little kid in the backyard, playing with his friends and having fun. I put so much pressure on it. It has nothing to do with this being the final year of my contract, it's just overthinking and trying to make that play when I should have just taken what they're giving us ... and kept us out of the negative plays."
Would these rumors be swirling if the Bills had a winning record? Maybe not, but with their premier running back in a contract year and a high-paid receiver getting benched, the talk is inevitable.
